In football, it’s more who you know than what you know most of the time, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to transfers.
Clubs around the world have formed unique relationships that often see players regularly moving between the two clubs.
Manchester City and Girona are a perfect example of that. The City Group owns both, and that’s seen players regularly moving between the two clubs over the years.
Often it’s talented stars heading to the Etihad, such as Pedro Porro this summer, but Manchester City have also used the relationship to their advantage, sending young players to the Spanish club so they can continue their development and get regular game time.
However, this year was the first since 2015 it hasn’t happened, with Girona instead doing their business elsewhere.
It seems there was every intention from the Spaniards to get their usual assignment of Manchester City players, with Girona sporting director Quique Cárcel confirming to AS they tried to sign three or four from the Etihad.
“We wanted three or four, but it could not be done,” he told the newspaper.
“There is a third part, and over there, with other strong teams chasing them, it is complicated.”
“Also, guaranteeing a boy of 19 or 20 years of age, with the competition that exists in our squad, starting or getting many minutes is difficult.”